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South Africa’s Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Wednesday recommended that the country be put into a higher level of lockdown during the Easter holiday period to prevent a surge in COVID-19 infections.
Local health experts have warned of a potential third wave in the country, similar to what several European countries are experiencing, due to relaxed health restrictions and mass traveling across the country and religious gatherings to celebrate the holidays.
MAC chair Professor Barry Schoub told local media outlet, eNCA, that the committee issued an advisory calling for tighter lockdown restrictions during that period which he described as “sensitive”.
“Over this period…there is a vulnerability, a chance, a risk that we could see super spreader events will all the festivities and activities that go on over the weekend. So the advisory was for a temporary increase in restrictions over this period of time,” Schoub said.
According to Schoub, the lockdown would be temporary and “a little bit over that” should the advisory be approved.
A local epidemiologist, Prof. Salim Abdool Karim concurred with Schoub adding that he would rather the country was moved up to Level 2 lockdown as a preventive measure.
“I don’t know if we will have a third wave after Easter. But I don’t want to wait to find out. I would rather take the precautions and reduce our chances of a third wave,” told TimesLive.
A stricter lockdown may likely result in a longer curfew, restrictions on gatherings, and limits on the sale of alcohol.
South Africa, Africa’s worst-affected country by the COVID-19 pandemic, has so far reported 1,539,961 confirmed coronavirus cases and 52,251 deaths.
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